Complaints about grand piano too loud in Apt.

[teacher]

I live and teach on a grand piano in an apartment with hardwood floors.    We recently put an area rug underneath the piano, but I don't think it has helped that much.   The apartment  below us finds it loud.  The strings also feel like they are vibrating against the floor.

Any suggestions on what I can do to minimize the disturbance for our neighbors below?  (Moving is not an option).  

Is there anything I can put underneath the area rug to block the sound from travelling down?

Thank you.

[tosca1]

That is a difficult problem.  A  thick fitted carpet would be helpful but then you would be concealing your nice wooden flooring.  I imagine that it is not just the area beneath the piano that is the problem. In fact your whole floor will be resonating like a soundboard and just covering the area under the piano will have little effect on reducing the sound.  More soft furnishings in the room will help a little.  
If you can have friendly relations with your neighbours that may be the best response to the problem.  Neighbours will be more tolerant and sympathetic if you can develop a good rapport with them.
Discuss your problem with them and see if a friendly compromise can be reached.
Kind regards,
Robert.

[rachfan]

Robert gives sensible advice here.  Certainly what you do not want to happen is a camplaint going to the landlord  instead of you.  That could result in unwanted restrictions.  So if you can reach an accommodation with the tenant below you, it would be most helpful as he suggests.

Apart from the accoustic treatments Robert offered, in the longer run (and I know it's not feasible for you now), the answer might be to rent a studio, which is every teacher's  dream.  Alternatively, space at a piano dealership, or at a church, school, etc. can be suitable to the purpose too.  A more expensive, option would be to to rent or buy a single-family home and live and teach there.  But there can be difficulties with that too.  There have been cases where neighbors have filed complaints of zoning violations stating that a commercial business--teaching piano-- is being conducted in a residentially zoned area and that associated traffic and parking issues are also unacceptable.  

Nevertheless, trying to conduct your business in an apartment will surely be very difficult at best.  And if the downstairs tenant moves out and is replaced by another one, there will be a 50/50 chance that the complaints will start anew.  And that tenant might be far less tolerant. So a longer-range plan is definitely needed.

[teacher]

Thank you for both your replies.  I wrote a friendly letter to the people below us to let them know that I would only be using the piano during the hours allowed in the bylaws and explained that music is my profession which is why I must use the piano etc.  I also told them that I am trying to make the best effort to be accomodating by putting in the area rug etc... and if they had further concerns, they should phone me and discuss them.

The good news, I have not heard from them since the letter and they have been friendly when I bump into them in the building but they did not bring up the issue of the letter.   So, I assume no news is good news.

I still feel a little uncomfortable each time the piano gets used...but I guess this will have to do until one day I move to a detached home.

[tosca1]

Dear teacher,
I am very pleased that you have resolved this problem and it seems that you have the neighbours on your side.  It would be also helpful for you to build on their good will and show some neighbourly kindness  to them in a small way for their understanding and tolerance.  It could be offering a cup of tea or coffee or even just a flower.  
I would also encourage you to play and enjoy your piano within your stipulated times without feeling guilt or constraints.

Thank you.
Robert.

[teacher]

Thank you Robert.   Yes, I will definitely try to build good will by offering them something.    For now, I'm still trying to get used to playing without guilt.